Treatment Options

Treatment At Home

If you are experiencing ear wax build-up, the first recommendation is to use olive or almond oil drops or spray to soften your ear wax, 2–3 times daily for up to 2 weeks. Other treatments are available, though they contain harsher ingredients like sodium bicarbonate and hydrogen peroxide that may irritate the ear canal so only use short term, if at all. See links to some options further down this page.

Do not use ear drops if you have a perforated eardrum.
Avoid cotton buds or other tools—these can worsen blockages and cause injury.

If oil alone doesn’t help, professional removal may be needed. Unfortunately, many NHS services no longer offer this, and ENT referrals can be delayed or declined.

The British Society of Audiology (BSA) recommends the following 3 methods for ear wax removal where drops have failed: microsuction, irrigation, manual evacuation/removal.

I offer safe, professional ear wax removal in your home in accordance with BSA recommendations.

For best results, apply oil drops 3x daily for at least 3 days before your appointment (a week if using hearing aids—administer drops at night).

Microsuction

A gentle vacuum removes wax with precision.
Safe for most people.
Possible risks: ear canal or eardrum damage, dizziness, temporary hearing changes, infection.

Irrigation

A controlled stream of warm water removes wax.
Not suitable if you have:

• Perforated eardrum

• Grommets

• Recent infections or surgery

• Active ear dermatitis

• Cleft palate

Risks: dizziness, infection, ear canal damage, perforation (especially if an existing eardrum issue is present).

Note: "Syringing" refers to an outdated method using a manual syringe. This is no longer recommended due to safety concerns.

Manual Removal

Physical extraction using tools like forceps, usually used alongside irrigation or microsuction.
Safe for most.
Risks: as above—minor risk of canal damage, dizziness, or infection.

Sources: nhs.uk | nice.org.uk | thebsa.org.uk